Graduate School
Graduate-Level Individual Courses for Credit
Join a group of other adult learners in accelerated courses that emphasize the application of theory to practice. Incorporate your own rich experience with stimulating group interaction under the leadership of knowledgeable faculty. Bethel offers a dynamic environment characterized by academic excellence and a distinctive integration of Christian faith with learning.
Advanced Interpersonal Communication (COMM605) • 3 credits
Examination of the beginnings of interpersonal study, including Buber, Mead,
Jourard, and Watzlawick. Analysis of the relationships between interpersonal
communication and related areas: group, family, gender, and intrapersonal processes.
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Aging and Diversity: Class, Gender, and Diversity (ADVA615) • 3 credits
Exploration of the meaning of diversity, broadly defined to include differences in types of community, housing, ethnicity, physical status, and age, and an examination of this range of diversity as it applies to the field and practice of gerontology.
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Analysis of Rhetoric (COMM671) • 3 credits
Seminar provided to enhance learners' abilities to function with competence as critics and consumers of public discourse using various theoretical methods. Communication artifacts for analysis may include any rhetorical event: texts, speeches, advertising, architecture/art, music, or computer mediated processes. Topics may coordinate with thesis study.
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Applied Media Communication (COMM672) • 3 credits
Essential course in developing media knowledge and exercising critical judgment in the production process. Examination of the creative process of effective mediated communication. Hands-on experience in production including scripting, taping, and editing. Ethical guidelines are examined. Prerequisite: COMM610.
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Art Techniques in Play Therapy (PSYC611) • 2 credits
Overview of art therapy theory, research, and practice. Primary focus will be an exploration of the benefits of using drawing and other forms of artwork with children and adolescents. Includes demonstration and practice of various art therapy techniques and discussion of possible applications in professional and nonprofessional settings.
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Assessment and Evaluation in Reading (EDUC622) • 3 credits
Focus on best practices in formal and informal assessments. Engagement in assessing, measuring, evaluating, and reporting individual and group performance in reading. Evaluation of data to make informed decisions for instructional and curricular purposes. Participation in data analysis teams and development of expertise in reporting assessment results to a wide variety of audiences. Prerequisites: EDUC600, EDUC601, EDUC602, EDUC607, EDUC612.
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Communication Consulting (COMM674) • 3 credits
Examination of the world of internal and external organizational consulting. Learners will investigate what is needed—personally and professionally—to apply their communication expertise to various organizational settings and situations. Particular attention will be placed on developing consulting/training knowledge, skills, and abilities. Prerequisite: COM676.
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Designing School-Based Instruction for Work-Based Learning Programs (EDUC707) • 3 credits
Learners design instruction for work-based programs that connect students’ school experiences to the world of work. Current employment trends. The role of human resources in an organization. Career and Technical student organizations. One of three courses needed for the Teacher Coordinator of Work-Based Learning License. Learners must successfully complete this course before taking EDUC709.
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Effective Teaching Online (COMM722) • 3 credits
Introduction to the theory and tools of teaching online courses. Use of principles of good practice as a structural core to develop knowledge and skills necessary to effectively develop and teach an online course. Goal is to foster communication, collaboration, active learning, and prompt feedback. Emphasis is on personal connections, time on task, high expectations, and respect for diverse talents and ways of learning. Prerequisites: COMM605, COMM721.
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History and Advancement of Work-Based Learning (EDUC705) • 2 credits
Study of the history and progress of work-based learning. Examination of the federal and state legislation that applies to the field. Knowledge and tools that teacher coordinators will use to turn students’ work experiences into meaningful learning experiences. One of three courses needed for the Teacher Coordinator of Work-Based Learning License. Learners must successfully complete this courses before taking EDUC709.
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Implementing and Monitoring Work-Based Learning Programs (EDUC709) • 4 credits
Tools teacher coordinators will use to implement work-based learning. Monitoring programs. Collaborating with the community, employers, school officials, and parents. Reporting to state and other agencies. Employment laws. One of three courses needed for the Teacher Coordinator of Work-Based Learning Licensure. Prerequisites: EDUC705, EDUC707.
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Integrated Principles for Practical Leadership (ORGL675) • 2 credits
Focus is on an integrated paradigm that brings together the broad field of leadership. Learners synthesize the field of leadership and differentiate the material into six integrated dimensions. Examination of how to use the integrated dimensions to frame real versus perceived issues. A resolution process is weighed for effectiveness when emotional intelligence and biblical ethics are embraced. Application of this material to a real life situation. It is strongly recommended that learners who have not completed a B.A. in Organizational Leadership in the Bethel University College of Adult & Professional Studies enroll in ORGL675 as an elective.
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International Gender Communication (COMM673) • 3 credits
Analysis of the power of gender as applied in global settings, examining the cultural roles governing men’s and women’s roles in diverse settings from a cross-cultural perspective. Investigation of the challenges of dealing with gender transactions in international business, political, religious, and social contexts. Prerequisite: COMM620.
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Introduction to K-12 Schools (EDUC603) • 2 credits
Examination of the profession of teaching. American education is becoming increasingly more complex, visible, highly organized, professional, and controversial. To adequately evaluate calls for reform and provide needed leadership in shaping educational opportunities, learners considering careers in education need to understand its foundations including history, philosophy, psychology, sociology, legal matters, and current issues related to education. Focus is not principally concerned with “how to,” but rather with the forces and ideas that have influenced and now shape education in America.
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Introduction to Theories and Practices of Teaching and Learning (EDUC604) • 3 credits
Focus is on the theories and practices of the most current research on how people learn and how to design instruction that capitalizes on what we know about learning. Application of various pedagogical theories and methods in teaching through the practice of planning, implementation, and assessment procedures. An active learning and activity-centered course. The goals of activities and learning tasks will be primarily to meet the Minnesota Standards for Effective Practice for Teachers (the license standards). Prerequisite: EDUC603.
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Kindergarten Education (EDUC658) • 3 credits
Provision of a rationale and methods for using developmentally appropriate practices in the classroom, where learning is authentic and multidisciplinary. Overview of the historical contributions, current trends, and methods will be researched and discussed. Exploration of the needs of kindergarten children in relation to the classroom environment, developmentally appropriate practices, and assessment. Prerequisite: A current Minnesota teaching license or have completed the course work qualifying for a Minnesota teaching license.
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Leadership Assessment Seminar (ORGL610) • 2 credits
Examination of the learner's potential as a leader. Using a series of inventory tools, learners will assess past experiences, present skills, and future goals. This assessment process will provide a foundation for personal reflection and growth, as well as allow for the development of individualized strategies and revisions for leadership. Graded on an S/U basis.
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Leading in the Knowledge Economy (ORGL670) • 2 credits
Survey of the global information economy with its current and emerging technological capabilities; impacts on organizations’ internal operations and external relations; and knowledge and skills required of leaders in planning and managing information systems and enabling their organizations to benefit from global information flow.
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Neuropsychology (PSYC660) • 2 credits
Nervous system structure and function, with emphasis on clinical/counseling
applications. Includes biological causes of normal behavior, organic causes for
behavioral disorders, and drug influences on behavior.
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Postsecondary Teaching Internship (COMM723) • 5 credits
Classroom teaching at the postsecondary level under the supervision of a senior faculty member. Prerequisites: COMM605, COMM721, COMM722. Corequisite: COMM724.
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Postsecondary Teaching Internship Seminar (COMM724) • 3 credits
Development of reflective personal qualities, instructional and classroom management strategies and practices, and authentic assessment tools. Skills and knowledge include clarifying personal beliefs about teaching and learning, enhancement of communication skills, understanding of diverse learner skills, and the development of an effective teaching/learning environment. Teaching Interns will discuss professional ethics, identify teaching skills and areas for improvement, and create a professional development plan. Significant independent study work is expected in this course. Prerequisites: COMM605, COMM721, COMM722. Corequisite: COMM723.
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Reading Instruction in Intermediate Grades (EDUC607) • 2 credits
Development of skills and understandings to teach reading in the intermediate grades (3-6). Emphasis on the development of comprehension in a wide range of reading contexts, including fiction and expository text in a context that develops engagement in reading for pleasure and learning. Examination of methods to strengthen decoding, reading fluency, vocabulary, and concept development. Application of research and theory to evaluate and design curriculum. Prerequisites: EDUC600, EDUC601, EDUC602.
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Reading Instruction in Primary Grades (EDUC602) • 2 credits
Focus on the development of reading proficiency in young children, grades K-2. Best practices in literacy that foster phonemic awareness, alphabet recognition, phonology, and word study. Design and implementation of a developmentally appropriate curriculum and instructional strategies for a wide range of abilities in literacy for young learners. Prerequisites: EDUC600, EDUC601.
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Strategy Instruction in Content Areas (EDUC612) • 1 credit
Exploration of comprehension strategies that assist textbook understanding. A variety of expository texts found across content areas will be examined. Examination of behaviors of adolescent readers and instructional strategies to increase comprehension and understanding of texts. Prerequisites: EDUC600, EDUC601, EDUC602, EDUC607.
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Therapeutic Play (PSYC609) • 3 credits
Focus is on techniques in expressive therapies, with an emphasis on play therapy. Examination of the continuum from client-centered to directive therapy and the exploration of application possibilities based on client needs and the setting. Common themes in children’s play are identified, and the dynamics of interpretation are considered and applied. Learners will apply skills and techniques in working with children and acquire artifacts for the program portfolio. Prerequisite: PSYC611.
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The Teaching Craft (COMM721) • 4 credits
Examination of the art and craft of teaching. Development of an understanding of educational pedagogy, instructional methodology, and classroom management. Includes contrast of traditional and adult learners, as well as an opportunity for course design. Learner presentations will be videotaped for individual assessment. Teaching as vocation will be considered.
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Topics in Leadership Studies (ORGL605) • 2 credits
Course may be offered occasionally on various leadership topics.
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Bethel University reserves the right to cancel any course if minimum enrollment has not been met. Should Bethel cancel a scheduled course, you will receive a full refund. If you withdraw within 10 business days of course start date, only 50% of tuition will be refunded. Bethel admits qualified students regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, or disability.